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The Most Photographed Places in the U.S.

The website Sightsmap is a heat map for people who love travel and photography. It uses data from Google Maps’ Panoramio photo uploader tool to find out where travelers are taking the most pictures. Here’s what we learned about the most photographed spots in the United States—some of the findings may surprise you.

The Most Photographed Places in the U.S.

The website Sightsmap is a heat map for people who love travel and photography. It uses data from Google Maps’ Panoramio photo uploader tool to find out where travelers are taking the most pictures. Here’s what we learned about the most photographed spots in the United States—some of the findings may surprise you.

10. Los Angeles, CA

Although Los Angeles may not be the most popular photo site with Panoramio users, there’s one place where it reigns supreme: Instagram. The photo-sharing service recently revealed its list of the most ‘grammed spots of 2014, and several SoCal destinations—including Disneyland and Dodger Stadium—made the list. Meanwhile, the Panoramio list favors performing arts venues and sports stadiums, with the Staples Center, Ahmanson Theatre, and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion all getting high marks.

9. Walt Disney World, FL

The Walt Disney World complex in Florida technically has its own town, Lake Buena Vista. People come from all over the world to visit the amusement park and resorts, and they take plenty of pictures while they’re there. Unsurprisingly, Cinderella's Castle (pictured) was the most popular spot in the Magic Kingdom. But many of the most photographed spots are in Epcot, including Norway (no. 4), Japan (no. 3), and the Mexico Pavilion (no. 9). And the iconic Epcot ball is #1.

8. Key West, FL

As the southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West has drawn visitors as diverse as Ernest Hemingway and the cast of MTV's The Real World. Unsurprisingly, its most photographed spots include the Southernmost House, Hemingway’s former home (and its polydactyl cats), and other watery locales like the Shipwreck and Maritime Museums.

7. Boston, MA

Thanks to the Bay State’s key role in the founding of America, Boston has plenty of historic attractions on offer. The city’s most photographed list is a mix of the classic and the modern, including skyscrapers like the John Hancock Tower alongside the Ether Monument (also known as the Good Samaritan), the Massachusetts State House, and the site of the Boston Massacre.

6. Las Vegas Strip, NV

While Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist spots in America, it’s only one part of Las Vegas that’s getting love on Panoramio: the Strip, which is where many tourists spend the majority of their visits. Unsurprisingly, that means that many of the most photographed spots are casinos, including Bally's, Caesar's Palace, and the Venetian. The most popular non-Strip spot in Sin City is "Vegas Vic," the famous neon cowboy.

5. Washington, D.C.

As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. is heavy with history. And many of its most photographed spots are places named for some of our past leaders, including the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. But some other interesting spots make the cut, including Blair House (where many guests of the White House stay during their visit) and President’s Park (better known as the White House lawn).

4. San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is the 20th best city in the world, as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.. And while destinations like Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz all appear on the most photographed list, the no. 1 photo tag is simply “San Francisco.” That’s right: the city itself is the star.

3. Chicago, IL

Condé Nast Traveler readers love Chicago, putting it at no. 23 on our poll of the top 25 cities in the world. The Windy City is known for its skyline, so it’s no surprise that some of its most photographed spots are landmarks like the Ferris Wheel, the Willis Tower, the Bean, and—coming in at no. 1—the Art Institute of Chicago.

2. Niagara Falls, NY

Both the United States and Canada experienced a high volume of tourists who wanted to photograph the gorgeous waterfalls on both sides of the border. Here, it’s all about the vantage points: Hot spots include the Rainbow Bridge, the Observation Deck, and the Maid of the Mists boats that go through the falls.

1. New York, NY

New York City is not only the most photographed city in the US, it’s the most photographed city in the entire world. Visitors to the Big Apple like to take pictures of the city’s architectural marvels, including the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial, the Flatiron Building, and Grand Central Terminal. But the big winner was the Guggenheim Museum, whose circular shape and iconic works of art prove an irresistible combination.